Windsor Council Drops Plans To Fine Rough Sleepers After Outcry

Windsor council has withdrawn plans to fine rough sleepers £100 as part of a new “homelessness support strategy” after a public outcry against the measures. The council’s leader, Simon Dudley, has requested that the proposals be withdrawn after feedback from the public and councillors. Dudley’s assertion that rough sleepers should be cleared from the town centre for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sparked the controversy last month. The borough also said future strategies on homelessness would not try to address rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour at the same time, describing them as separate objectives. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/14/windsor-council-drops-plans-to-fine-rough-sleepers-after-outcry

Windsor Council To Impose Fines On Rough Sleepers

Windsor council has been accused of punishing people for being homeless after plans emerged to fine rough sleepers £100 as part of a new “homelessness support strategy”. The Council will impose public space protection orders (PSPOs) banning aggressive or proactive begging, requests for money, leaving bedding and belongings in a public area and urination or defecation in town centres in the area, including Windsor, Maidenhead, Ascot and Eton. Breaches would lead to a £100 fixed penalty notice, which would be cut to £50 for early payment, but offenders could face a summary conviction and a £1,000 fine if they fail to pay. Read more on the Observer website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/11/windsor-council-to-impose-fines-on-rough-sleepers